The Way He Looks is a Brazilian coming-of-age movie that explores themes of disability, friendship, and sexuality. The film tells the story of Leonardo, a visually impaired teenager who lives in Sao Paulo with his parents. Leonardo is a sensitive and intelligent young man who is passionate about music and dreams of traveling the world.
However, his overprotective mother, who is afraid of letting him out of her sight, is a constant source of stress for him. His best friend Giovana, who has been his companion since childhood, provides some relief from this stifling atmosphere. However, she harbors a secret crush on him and gets jealous when he develops a new friendship with Gabriel, a new student in their class.
Gabriel is a lively and outgoing young man who takes an interest in Leonardo and helps him discover more about the world around him. As they spend more time together, Leonardo begins to develop feelings for Gabriel, which leads him to question his identity and his future plans. Amidst all this, Leonardo must confront his mother's fears and expectations and find a way to live a fulfilling and independent life.
The film, directed by Daniel Ribeiro, won the Teddy Award for Best Feature at the 2014 Berlin International Film Festival and was also Brazil's official entry to the Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film. The movie is a heartwarming and honest portrayal of the struggles and joys of adolescence, with a sensitive and nuanced portrayal of disability and sexuality.